Response of dispersed droplets to shock waves in supersonic mixing layers

The response of dispersed droplets to oblique shock waves in the supersonic mixing layer was investigated using the large eddy simulation coupled with the particle Lagrangian tracking model. The generated disturbances based on the most-unstable wave model were imposed to excite the development of supersonic shear layer. The oblique shock wave was numerically introduced in the flow field. Small-and medium-sized droplets remained their preferential distribution in the vortices after crossing the shock wave, while large-sized droplet became more dispersed. The influence of shock waves on the momentum and heat transfers from surrounding gas to droplets was analyzed by tracking droplets' motion paths. Small-sized droplets responded easily to the shock wave. Compared with the aerodynamic response, the thermal response of droplets was slower, especially under the impaction of the shock wave. The present research conclusions are conductive to analyze the mixing of air and fuel droplets and of important academic value for further understanding the two-phase dynamics in combustors of scramjet.